GDT: 7/13/10 - NL VS AL @ LAA Stadium- 9:00 p.m. ET

Lineups set, skippers await first pitch
Girardi tabs Price to start for AL against NL's Jimenez

By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com

07/12/10 3:45 PM ET

ANAHEIM -- The tough choices have all been made for the 81st All-Star Game. Now comes the fun part.

Under the bright lights of the Anaheim Marriott ballroom on Monday morning, American League manager Joe Girardi and National League skipper Charlie Manuel made their tough calls a matter of record, revealing the starting pitchers and starting lineups for Tuesday's Midsummer Classic. It will be left-hander David Price starting for the AL against right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez of the NL in a matchup of young aces.

And the lineups are stacked, as usual. So stacked that Carl Crawford of the Rays, the Majors' leading run scorer so far this season with 70, is hitting ninth for the AL, and NL RBI co-leader Corey Hart of the Brewers is batting eighth.

"The lineup is probably the toughest thing to make out," Girardi said. "We spend time talking about it. There were changes -- there were additions, subtractions -- and it's the hardest thing."

Now it's set. Let the game begin.

The 81st Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and Le Reseau des Sports, and around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8 p.m. ET. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage. MLB Network, MLB.com and Sirius XM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Game coverage.

Manuel & Co. will be aiming to snap the NL's 13-year All-Star Game drought, a stretch that honorary NL president Bill Giles referred to Monday as "that stupid little streak."

But this is serious business. The winning league gets home-field advantage in the World Series.

"I think the first priority of the National League is to win the game," Manuel said. "But at the same time, what makes the game is the talent that both sides have. We have the greatest players in the game, and it gives the audience a chance to see us."

Said Girardi: "I know it only matters for the World Series, but in our home games during the playoffs, we were 7-1, so we understand that that home-field advantage is very important to our American League club this year."

Girardi's toughest calls were in the lineup, where he balanced 2010 numbers with career contributions and came up with the Mariners' Ichiro in the leadoff hole, followed by Yankees veteran shortstop Derek Jeter hitting second. That meant Crawford, the speedy two-hole hitter for the Rays, fell all the way to ninth.

At least Girardi's choice to start was clear. Price, 24, leads the AL at the unofficial halfway mark with a 2.42 ERA and is tied for the league lead of 12 wins with Yankees lefty CC Sabathia. Girardi might have been tempted to tab his own guy in Sabathia, but he was barred from doing so by a rule that says pitchers who start the Sunday before the All-Star break are ineligible for the game.

"It's definitely an honor," Price said. "When you have Joe Mauer in the seven-hole and [Crawford] in the nine-hole, you know you have a pretty good team."

Manuel had a tougher call between Jimenez, the early-season sensation who pitched a no-hitter for the Rockies and leads the Majors with 15 wins, and Marlins right-hander Josh Johnson, the steady workhorse who entered the break with an NL-best 1.70 ERA. The Cardinals' Adam Wainwright also may have gotten the nod in a different season, with 13 wins and a 2.11 ERA at the break.

"I think that one of the biggest things that went into my decision was the fact that this guy right here is 15-1 -- his record speaks for itself," Manuel said. "He threw a no-hitter and he's completed three ballgames. He's what I call a horse, and so is Josh Johnson. It was a tough pick, but [Jimenez] is the guy I chose."

Manuel faced some lineup conundrums of his own. His starting outfield includes a left fielder in Ryan Braun of the Brewers and two right fielders, Andre Ethier of the Dodgers and Braun's teammate, Hart. Manuel tabbed Ethier for center field. Either has played 436 Major League games in his career but has never appeared in center.

Considering the depth of pitching on the NL roster, those outfielders might be idle in the early innings. At least that's Manuel's plan.

"Hopefully," Jimenez said, "we put everything together and we break the losing streak."

Adam McCalvy is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Current Conditions

Angel Stadium of Anaheim

Sunny 85 F

Humidity: 32 %

Wind: from the WSW at 8 mph

Barometer: 29.81 in

last updated: 7/13/10 5:05 PM PDT

Inning 1
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Hanley Ramirez grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Martin Prado grounds out sharply, second baseman Robinson Cano to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Albert Pujols lines out to right fielder Ichiro Suzuki.

0-0 AFTER .5 INNING

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Ichiro Suzuki pops out to shortstop Hanley Ramirez.


B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Derek Jeter walks.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Corey Hart. Derek Jeter to 3rd.

B:0 S:2 O:3 - Josh Hamilton grounds into double play,
pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez to shortstop Hanley Ramirez to first baseman
Albert Pujols. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd.

0-0 AFTER 1 INNING

Inning 2
Top Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Ryan Howard swinging.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
David Wright singles on a sharp ground ball to second baseman Robinson Cano.


B:2 S:1 O:3 - Ryan Braun grounds into double play,
third baseman Evan Longoria to second baseman Robinson Cano to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. David Wright out at 2nd.

0-0 AFTER 1.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Vladimir Guerrero swinging.


B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Evan Longoria doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Braun.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Joe Mauer flies out to center fielder Andre Ethier.


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Robinson Cano grounds out, second baseman Martin Prado to first baseman Albert Pujols.

0-0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

Inning 3
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Andy Pettitte replaces David Price.


B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Andre Ethier swinging.


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Corey Hart swinging.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Yadier Molina singles on a ground ball to center fielder Josh Hamilton.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Hanley Ramirez grounds into a force out, shortstop Derek Jeter to second baseman Robinson Cano. Yadier Molina out at 2nd.

0-0 AFTER 2.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Josh Johnson replaces Ubaldo Jimenez.


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Carl Crawford lines out to third baseman David Wright.


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Ichiro Suzuki swinging.


B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Derek Jeter called out on .

0-0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

Inning 4
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Torii Hunter replaces right fielder Ichiro Suzuki, batting 1st, playing center field.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from center field to right field for Josh Hamilton.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Cliff Lee replaces Andy Pettitte.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Martin Prado grounds out, shortstop Derek Jeter to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Albert Pujols swinging.


B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Ryan Howard grounds out, second baseman Robinson Cano to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

0-0 AFTER 3.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Adrian Gonzalez replaces first baseman Albert Pujols, batting 3rd, playing first base.


B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman David Wright to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Josh Hamilton flies out to left fielder Ryan Braun.


B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Vladimir Guerrero lines out softly to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

0-0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

Inning 5
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Justin Verlander replaces Cliff Lee.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
David Wright singles on a ground ball to center fielder Torii Hunter.


B:2 S:1 O:0 -
With Ryan Braun batting, David Wright steals (1) 2nd base.


B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Ryan Braun swinging.


B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Andre Ethier singles on a sharp line drive to right fielder Josh Hamilton. David Wright to 3rd.


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Corey Hart swinging.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Brian McCann replaces Yadier Molina.


B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Brian McCann flies out to right fielder Josh Hamilton.

0-0 AFTER 4.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Scott Rolen replaces third baseman David Wright, batting 5th, playing third base.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Matt Holliday replaces left fielder Ryan Braun, batting 6th, playing left field.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from center field to right field for Andre Ethier.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Marlon Byrd replaces right fielder Corey Hart, batting 8th, playing center field.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Brian McCann remains in the game as the catcher.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Hong-Chih Kuo replaces Josh Johnson.

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Evan Longoria walks.

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Joe Mauer reaches on throwing error by pitcher Hong-Chih Kuo. Evan Longoria to 3rd. Joe Mauer to 2nd.


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Robinson Cano out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Matt Holliday. Evan Longoria scores.

AL 1, NL 0


B:1 S:2 O:2 - Carl Crawford reaches on a fielder's
choice out, shortstop Hanley Ramirez to third baseman Scott Rolen. Joe
Mauer out at 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Heath Bell replaces Hong-Chih Kuo.


B:2 S:0 O:2 -
With Torii Hunter batting, Carl Crawford steals (1) 2nd base.


B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Torii Hunter flies out to right fielder Andre Ethier.


AL 1, NL 0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: John Buck replaces catcher Joe Mauer, batting 7th, playing catcher.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Ian Kinsler replaces second baseman Robinson Cano, batting 8th, playing second base.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Vernon Wells replaces left fielder Carl Crawford, batting 9th, playing left field.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jon Lester replaces Justin Verlander.


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Hanley Ramirez grounds out, pitcher Jon Lester to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Martin Prado pops out to shortstop Derek Jeter.


B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Adrian Gonzalez grounds out, second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

AL 1, NL 0 AFTER 5.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Rafael Furcal replaces shortstop Hanley Ramirez, batting 1st, playing shortstop.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Brandon Phillips replaces second baseman Martin Prado, batting 2nd, playing second base.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Roy Halladay replaces Heath Bell.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Derek Jeter singles on a fly ball to right fielder Andre Ethier.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Elvis Andrus replaces Derek Jeter.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Paul Konerko replaces Miguel Cabrera.


B:2 S:3 O:2 - Paul Konerko swinging and
Elvis Andrus caught stealing 2nd, catcher Brian McCann to second
baseman Brandon Phillips.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Josh Hamilton singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Andre Ethier.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter David Ortiz replaces Vladimir Guerrero.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Jose Bautista replaces Josh Hamilton.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Matt Capps replaces Roy Halladay.



B:2 S:3 O:3 -
David Ortiz called out on .

AL 1, NL 0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Elvis Andrus remains in the game as the shortstop.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Paul Konerko remains in the game as the first baseman.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Jose Bautista remains in the game as the right fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
David Ortiz remains in the game as the designated hitter.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Ty Wigginton replaces third baseman Evan Longoria, batting 6th, playing third base.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Phil Hughes replaces Jon Lester.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Joey Votto replaces Ryan Howard.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Joey Votto grounds out, second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Paul Konerko.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Scott Rolen singles on a fly ball to center fielder Torii Hunter.


B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Matt Holliday singles on a ground ball to center fielder Torii Hunter. Scott Rolen to 3rd.


B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Matt Thornton replaces Phil Hughes.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Chris Young replaces Andre Ethier.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Chris Young pops out to first baseman Paul Konerko in foul territory.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Marlon Byrd walks. Matt Holliday to 2nd.


B:0 S:1 O:2 - Brian McCann doubles (1) on a line drive
to right fielder Jose Bautista. Scott Rolen scores. Matt Holliday
scores. Marlon Byrd scores.

NL 3, AL 1


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Andrew Bailey replaces Matt Thornton.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Rafael Furcal walks.


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Brandon Phillips swinging.



NL 3, AL 1 AFTER 6.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Joey Votto remains in the game as the designated hitter.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Chris Young remains in the game as the center fielder.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from center field to right field for Marlon Byrd.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Adam Wainwright replaces Matt Capps.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Nick Swisher replaces Ty Wigginton.


B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Nick Swisher on foul tip.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
John Buck doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Matt Holliday.


B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Ian Kinsler walks.


B:0 S:0 O:2 - Vernon Wells grounds into a force out,
shortstop Rafael Furcal to second baseman Brandon Phillips. John Buck
to 3rd. Ian Kinsler out at 2nd. Vernon Wells to 1st.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Torii Hunter swinging.

NL 3, AL 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Adrian Beltre replaces Nick Swisher, batting 6th, playing third base.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Rafael Soriano replaces Andrew Bailey.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Adrian Gonzalez flies out to left fielder Vernon Wells.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Joey Votto flies out to center fielder Torii Hunter.


B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Scott Rolen flies out to left fielder Vernon Wells.

NL 3, AL 1 AFTER 7.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Brian Wilson replaces Adam Wainwright.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Michael Bourn replaces left fielder Matt Holliday, batting 6th, playing left field.


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Elvis Andrus grounds out, second baseman Brandon Phillips to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Paul Konerko grounds out, third baseman Scott Rolen to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Jose Bautista pops out to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez in foul territory.

NL 3, AL 1 AFTER 8 INNINGS

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Rafael Soriano.


B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Michael Bourn swinging.


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Chris Young swinging.


B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Marlon Byrd swinging.


NL 3, AL 1 AFTER 8.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jonathan Broxton replaces Brian Wilson.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
David Ortiz singles on a line drive to right fielder Marlon Byrd.


B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Adrian Beltre swinging.


B:3 S:2 O:2 - John Buck flies into a force out, right
fielder Marlon Byrd to shortstop Rafael Furcal. David Ortiz out at 2nd.
John Buck to 1st.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Ian Kinsler flies out to center fielder Chris Young.

NL 3, AL 1 FINAL BOX SCORE > CLICK HERE <